Addicted to Twitter - and it's down!

For those of you wondering why I haven't blogged lately, there are two reasons. Firstly, I have been suffering from bloggers block so I decided to take a break and secondly, and even more importantly, I have become addicted to Twitter. It's very easy to post your "tweets" on Twitter especially since you are limited to just 140 characters per tweet but it's definitely addictive! As I post this right now, Twitter is down* and I can only imagine how many others like myself are going through the torment of wondering when it will be back up again. I can't believe how much I rely on Twitter for gathering news and information as well as sharing my own news and information. Also, it's just a lot of fun to read what people are doing or reading or discussing. It's a bit like going to a party or a pub and eavesdropping on lots of different conversations but you get to join in with any that sound interesting to you and/or start your own "conversation" by tweeting. A "tweet" is a post. Twitter is known as a micro-blogging service and that's exactly what it is, blogging but in micro-sized posts. Since you are limited to 140 characters, you have to be short and sweet. It's a great way to encourage concise writing! Twitter was actually featured on BBC Newsnight last night. In his first British television interview, Ev Williams, CEO and co-founder of Twitter, was interviewed by Kirsty Wark: Speaking on Newsnight, Evan Williams says use of the social networking site has "exploded" in the UK with London being the top Twitter using city. So if you haven't tried Twitter yet, I say go ahead and give it a try (it's free). However, be prepared to become another Twitter addict like the rest of us! *Site is down We are determining the cause and will provide an update shortly. (via Twitter blog: http://status.twitter.com/ )

British Court Rules Against Blogger Anonymity

I twittered (posted on Twitter) the link to this story in the Guardian yesterday: Publish and be named: Police blogger NightJack loses anonymity High court says detective constable had 'no reasonable expectation of privacy' in landmark ruling for bloggers I thought for sure there would be a debate on Twitter about the repercussions of this case but I was disappointed at the lack of response about it. Perhaps people don't realize the implications. Personally, I prefer to blog anonymously just because I don't think it's necessary for everyone to know my full name but if I did have to reveal my identity it wouldn't be any big deal. However, there are many other bloggers who are posting about their professions and are servng as vital whistleblowers when they expose injustices and wrong-doings. If these bloggers no longer have a right to privacy and feel threatened, I would expect many such blogs will suddenly disappear. In fact it should come as no surprise to learn that the NightJack blog has now been deleted. What are your thoughts about this case? Do you agree with the ruling? Do you blog anonymously? Would you continue blogging if you had to reveal your identity?